Tourist police have moved to tighten control over private security guards on Pattaya’s Walking Street following online criticism over alleged violence against tourists.

A meeting was held on Tuesday with tourist police, local police, immigration officers, district officials, community leaders and representatives of nightlife operators.

The meeting mapped out stricter guidelines for crowd control and tourist protection, amid growing scrutiny over the behaviour of venue-appointed security guards.

The discussion followed a wave of social media posts accusing guards of using excessive force against visitors, incidents that authorities fear could undermine confidence in one of Thailand’s most iconic nightlife destinations.

Data presented at the meeting showed that from December 2025 to March 2026 most incidents involving tourists in the Walking Street area were assault-related, with a noticeable rise recorded in March

Police urged all parties to work more closely together, stressing that guards must never resort to violence, even during disputes such as payment arguments or disagreements inside venues.

Police also suggested that where multiple guards are working at one venue, at least one should be designated to restrain colleagues and de-escalate situations, preventing group assaults and keeping conflicts from spiralling.

Guards must act as peacemakers, not participants in disputes, police added.